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Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse's Secrets to Healthy Home Cooking

If you're a newlywed, a busy mom, a vegetarian or just an aspiring home cook, Emeril Lagasse wants to talk to you.The celebrity chef's new daily cooking series, "Emeril's Table," launches Sept. 26 on the Hallmark Channel -- and Emeril literally...

On his family table last night: Pasta Bolognese with a green vegetable and a light salad.

So what can we learn from Emeril's food philosophy? We asked him for a sneak peek at the fresh tips he'll share on his show. Here's what he said:

Have a food plan: Just like you would plan your work schedule, it's critical to have a food plan. If you know what you're eating for dinner every night -- and you have all of the ingredients on hand -- you're less likely to find yourself at a concrete parking lot trying to order from the window at the end of the day.

Lose the intimidation factor: On the show, we've experienced folks that are scared of the grocery store and don't know where to begin, [and those who have] timing problems (burning the broccoli while trying to cook a steak). Once you get past any psychological roadblocks, you can learn how to transform your family table.

Keep it simple: We have a tendency to overcomplicate things. The goal, however, is to get back to basics. Keep it simple. Shop for fresh, seasonal produce, lean protein and whole grains. And don't underestimate the power (and simplicity) of a one-pot meal. A bonus: clean up is a snap!

Know your guests as far as who's coming and likes and dislikes: The worst thing would be to have six people over for dinner and three of them are allergic to shellfish. What's in season? Food and mood change seasonally just like the seasons do. Understand that and know those factors. Keep it simple; keep it fresh. [Create] a menu that allows you to do prep work in advance so you can enjoy your guests.

Know your food: Do you know the difference between grass-fed beef and dry aged beef? Don't worry if you don't, you're not alone! But if you know how a particular type of beef tastes, you're better equipped to develop a recipe that works! And hit the local farmer's market. The purveyors can often tell you the best way to prepare the fruits of their labors.